Enclosed circuit breaker position indicator



May 20, 1947. w, $HYM|K 2,420,842

ENCLOSED CIRCUIT BREAKER POSITION INDICATOR Filed Jan. 25, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. MLTER H. SCHYMIK ,A/QW

ATTORNEY y 1947- w. H. SCHYMIK 2,420,842

ENCLOSED CIRCUIT BREAKER POSITION INDICATOR Filed Jan. 25, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I. mvmma WALTER n. scrmmzc ATTORNEY May 20, 1947p HSCHY IK 2,420,842

ENCLOSED CIRCUIT BREAKER POSITION INDICATOR Filed Jan. 25, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY May 20, 1947. w. H. SCHYMIK ENCLOSED CIRCUIT BREAKER POSITION INDICATOR Filed Jan. 25, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Mum H Scum/K 4 TT ORNE' Y Patented May 20, 1947 Claims.

My present invention relates to compartmented or metal-clad circuit breakers and more particularly to an indicator bar for use in connection therewith to indicate the position of the circuit breaker within the compartment, whether connected, in test position, or disconnected.

In the construction and operation of metalclad circuit breakers, it is common to mount a circuit breaker on a supporting structure within a compartment, which structure is itself moved in and out within the compartment on a pantograph by a suitable operating means accessible from outside the compartment. Since the front 1 panel or door of the compartment is usually entirely of metal, with relatively few or no openings, it is essential that some simple, easily operable means be provided to indicate the position of the circuit breaker Within the compartment.

Preferably, this indicating means should consist of a minimum number of moving parts which may be sturdy in construction and, if necessary, readily replaceable.

My invention therefore contemplates as its primary object the provision of a simple indicator for the position of a metal-clad circuit breaker within its compartment.

Essentially, my invention comprises an indicating bar which has a high pitched thread at one end, engageable by a nut-like member on the circuit breaker supporting structure, which member, on movement of the circuit breaker, will cause rotation of the indicating bar.

The foregoing and many other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings in which:

Figure l is a side view, partly broken away, of a metal clad circuit breaker showing my indicator in position.

Figure 2 is a view in perspective showing the indicator itself.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figures 4 and 5 are views in perspective corresponding to that of Figure 2, showing different positions of the indicator.

Figure 6 is a front view of the panel of the compartment.

Figure 7 is a view in perspective showing a modified form of my indicator.

Referring now to Figure 1, I have here shown a circuit breaker Ill, having an operating handle I I, contact mechanism l2 and are chute l3, mounted on a panel M which in turn is supported on the frame IS. The frame 15 in turn is sup- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ENCLOSED CIRCUIT BREAKER POSITION INDICATOR Walter Haines Schymlk, Oreland, Pa., assignor to I-T-E Circuit Breaker Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a. corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 25, 1 945, Serial No. 574,579

ported for horizontal movement by the pantograph members l6, l1. All of these members are supported inside the compartment 20.

The front panel 2| of the compartment comprises a door having a rotatable handle 22 thereon, which handle rotates the shaft 23 and which in turn rotates the cam 24 to operate the handle ll of the circuit breaker.

The back of the compartment is provided with an insulating panel 25 having back connection studs 26 and 21. Connection studs 28 and 29 passing through the panel I4 of the circuit breaker serve to connect this circuit breaker to the back connection studs 26 and 21.

The circuit breaker and pantograph support herein shown correspond substantially to those described in connection with the patents to Scott, 2,324,543, and Graves et 2.1., 1,955,287, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and require no further specific description here, particularly since the indicator of the present invention will operate as well with other devices comprising longitudinally movable supports for a circuit breaker.

The circuit breaker i0 within the compartment 20 in ordinary use has three principal positions, and a fourth additional position. The first of the principal positions is a fully connected position, shown in Figure 1. The second position is the so-called test position. That is, a position where the rear contact elements 28-45 and 292'l are disconnected so that the circuit breaker does not carry current while at the same time, however, any control circuit contacts which may be provided remain connected. That is, the test position therefore is one which the circuit breaker reaches just after the main back connecting contacts are disconnected.

The fully disconnected position is one which is reached after the circuit breaker has moved an additional distance toward the front of the compartment and after both the current carrying and control contacts are disconnected. The possible fourth position is that in which the circuit breaker has been brought entirely to the front of the compartment so that it may be removed.

The operating means, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. comprise a rotatable threaded member 30 mounted in the base of the compartment in suitable bearings 3| and 32, and having a squared end 33 so that it may be rotated by a. socket wrench. The lower end of the frame member [5 is provided with a nut 36 which engages the threaded member 30. Rotation of the threaded member 30 by means of a socket wrench will cause the nut to move forward and back, and consequently cause the circuit breaker and supporting frame I to move forward and back.

The main supporting structure I5 for the circuit breaker panel is provided with an L-shaped bracket 50, as shown in Figures 1 to 5, which is secured on the inside of th frame structure I5 and projects out through the slot 5I in the frame.

The L-shaped bracket is provided with a square s1ot'52 more particularly seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5 for purposes hereinafter more specifically described. The L-shaped bracket 50 is resiliently mounted on the pin '55 on the inside of the frame I5; that is, an opening in the bracket 50 is positioned over the pin 55, a spring 56 is placed over the pin 55 and a washer 51 is placed on the pin 55 to hold the spring 56 in place, and an appropriate pin 53 is placed through the pin 55 to hold the washer and spring down.

Consequently, the bracket 50 is biased into outward position, as shown in Figure 3, but may, if the occasion requires, be pushed back out of engagement with the indicator which is hereinafter described.

Actually, the slot 52 of the L-shaped bracket 50 serves as a nut to rotate the indicator bar 60 (Figures 1 to 5). The bar 60 is provided with a very high pitched thread GI at its rearmost end. This thread may readily be formed by an appropriate twisting of the indicator bar 60 at that end.

The indicator bar is rotatably carried in bearings I0, I? in the front and rear supporting posts on one side of the compartment 20. When the frame supporting structure I5 is accordingly moved in and out by rotation of the threaded bar 30, as hereinabove described, the bracket 50 having the slot 52 is also moved back and forth and since this slot 52 engages the threaded portion SI of the indicator bar 60, it rotates the indicator bar. Consequently the pointer '15 at the front end of the indicator bar 80 can be used to indicate the various positions of the circuit breaker Within the compartment 20,

Thus, as shown in Figure 6, the front panel 2i provided with an opening 80 and appropriate marking 8i, 82, 83 with which the pointer I5 registers in different positions of the circuit breaker (see also Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5). Thus, when the circuit breaker is in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pointer is opposite the marking SI which indicates the connected position of the circuit breaker. When the supporting structure I5 is moved so that the bracket 50 has reached the relative position shown in Figure 4, the pointer I5 moves opposite the mark 82 showing the test position of the circuit breaker. This indicates thatthe main back connection contacts have been disconnected, but the control contacts remain connected.

When the circuit breaker is moved out still further so that the bracket member 50 and its slot 52 leaves the threaded portion SI of the indicator bar 60, then the pointer I5 is opposite the marking 83 showing the disconnected position of the circuit breaker. By this means, therefore, a simple sturdy position indicator for a compartmented or metal-clad circuit breaker is provided having a minimum of parts.

Thus previous difficulties which arose from the use of cables, chains and springs, where the cables or chains traversed pulleys and other direction changing elements, are obviated.

The resilient mounting of the bracket 50 shown 4 in Figure 3 and the width. of the slot 5| permit the bracket to be pushed manually away from its engagement with the indicator bar 00 should it be desired for any reason to remove the indicator bar or make any changes in the pantograph support-structure.

Also, the resilient flexible mounting of the bracket 50 ensures appropriate engagement between the indicator bar and the bracket even though there may be some initial disalignment.

In Figure 7, I have shown a modified form of my invention in which guide angle I2I is spot welded to the angle of cubicle I25 and is spaced therefrom by pads I22. Indicator board I08 (visible through opening N0 of door I09) is fastened to the slide I20 which is guided by guide angle I2I. Brackets H8 and Ill fastened to the movable arm IOI carry adjusting screws III and H5 respectively which engage extension I30 of guide slide 20. By this means, vertical movement of slide M0 and its indicator board I08 is obtained as arm IOI swings vertically. Pin H2 is carried by the frame which carries the circuit breaker. Swinging arm IOI is pivotally secured at the stationary pivot I02 held by bracket I03 and passes through a slot in the rear of the cubicle to rest on pin H2. The breaker is shown racked to the test position.

When the breaker is racked in, pin II2 moves against chamfered surface I06 of arm IM and raises arm IN to a point where no indication appears in window I I0.

As the breaker is fully racked in, pin II2 slides down to chamfered surface I05 and on final movement of the breaker inwardly raises arm IN to show connected in window IIO. Again, as the breaker is racked out, pin II2 moves oi! chamfered surface I05 to produce no indication (or a warning that the breaker is in some indeterminate position between proper positions) and then as it moves past surface I06, the indicator drops to test position. As the breaker is further racked out, the pin II2 moves past the left hand section of chamfered surface I0I to produce a bank indication again and then beyond surface I0! to produce a clear indication.

By this means, an indication is provided of the condition of the breaker; and a warning is given when the breaker is in some intermediate position.

In the foregoing, I have described my invention in connection only with a simple, preferred, sturdy, mechanically sound embodiment thereof. Many modifications and variations of my invention within the principles above set forth should now be obvious to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, I prefer to be bound not by the specifled disclosures herein, but only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An indicator for determining the position of a circuit breaker within an enclosed cubicle; said cubicle comprising a movable frame for supporting the circuit breaker, and a stationary panel carrying back connection studs, connection studs mounted on said circuit breaker and passing through said stationary panel for completing circuit connections of said circuit breaker with said back connection studs when said circuit breaker is in operating position adjacent said panel and for interrupting the circuit of said circuit breaker when said circuit breaker is moved away from the panel, and means for moving said frame toward and away from said panel; said indicator comprising a first member secured to said frame and extending therefrom; a second longitudinal member mounted in said cubicle and extending parallel to the path of movement of said frame; an indicating element secured to said second member; an opening in said panel; said indicating element being visible through said opening: and a connection between said first member and said second member for moving said second member and its indicating element in accordance with movement of the frame for indicating the position of said circuit breaker.

2. An indicator for determining the position of a circuit breaker within an enclosed cubicle; said cubicle comprising a movable frame for supporting the circuit breaker, and a. stationary panel carrying back connection studs, connection studs mounted on said circuit breaker and passing through said stationary panel for completing circuit connections of said circuit breaker with said back connection studs when said circuit breaker is in operating position adjacent said panel and for interrupting the circuit of said circuit breaker when said circuit breaker is moved away from the panel, and means for moving said frame toward and away from said panel; said indicator comprising a first member secured to said frame and extending therefrom; a second longitudinal member mounted in said cubicle and extending parallel to the path of movement of said frame; an indicating element secured to said second member; an opening in said panel; said indicating element being visible through said opening; and a connection between said first member and said second member for rotating said second member and its indicating element in accordance with movement of the frame for indicating the position of said circuit breaker.

3. An indicator for determining the position of a circuit breaker within an enclosed cubicle; said cubicle comprising a. movable frame for sup' porting the circuit breaker, and a stationary panel carrying back connection studs, connection studs mounted on said circuit breaker and passing through said stationary panel forcompleting circuit connections of said circuit breaker with said back connection studs when said circuit breaker is in operating position adjacent said panel and for interrupting the circuit of said circuit breaker when said circuit breaker is moved away from the panel, and means for moving said frame toward and away from said panel; said indicator comprising a first member secured to said frame and extending therefrom; a, second longitudinal member mounted in said cubicle and extending parallel to the path of movement of said frame; an indicating element secured to said second member; said second member being pivotally mounted at the end opposite said indicating element; an opening in said panel; said indicating element being visible through said opening; and a connection between said first member and said second member for swingin the end of said second member which carries the indicating element and its indicating element in accordance with movement of the frame for indicating the position of said circuit breaker.

4. An indicator for determining the position of a circuit breaker within an enclosed cubicle; said cubicle comprising a movable frame for supporting the circuit breaker, and a stationary panel carrying back connection studs, connection studs mounted on said circuit breaker and passing through said stationary panel for completing circuit connections of said circuit breaker with said back connection studs when said circuit breaker is in operating position adjacent said panel and for interrupting the circuit of said circuit breaker when said circuit breaker is moved away from the panel, and means for moving said frame toward and away from said panel; said indicator comprising a first member secured to said frame and extending therefrom; a second longitudinal member mounted in said cubicle and extendin parallel to the path of movement of said frame; an indicating element secured to said second member; said second member being pivotally mounted at the end opposite said indicating element for vertical movement; an opening in said panel; said indicating element being visible through said opening; and a connection between said first member and said second member for moving said second member and its indicating element vertically in accordance with movement of the frame for indicating the position of said circuit breaker.

5. An indicator for determining the position of a circuit breaker within an enclosed cubicle; said cubicle comprising a movable frame for supporting the circuit breaker, and a stationary panel carrying back connection studs, connection studs mounted on said circuit breaker and passing through said stationary panel for completing circuit connections of said circuit breaker with said back connection studs when said circuit breaker is in operating position adjacent said panel and i0! interrupting the circuit of said circuit breaker when said circuit breaker is moved away from the panel, and means for moving said frame toward and away from said panel; said indicator comprising a first member secured to said frame and extending therefrom; a second longitudinal member mounted in said cubicle and extending parallel to the path of movement of said frame; an indicating element secured to said second member; an opening in said panel; said indicating element being visible through said opening; and a connection between said first member and said second member for rotating said second member and its indicating element in accordance with movement of the frame for indicating the position of said circuit breaker; said connection comprising a helix at a portion of said second member; and a nut element extending from said first member and engaging said helix.

WALTER HAINES SCHYMIK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are oi record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,376,503 Pearson May 22, 1945 1,427,415 Raich Aug. 29, 1922 1,371,395 Rest Mar. 15, 1921 2,364,764 Wilks Dec. 12, 1944 

